WHOOPS, A BIT YELLOW

 Two nights ago I put a blonde dye in my hair.

And it went YELLOW.

Like... oh hell yellow.

Lacy took one look at it and laughed her bloody head off.

So while we were out and about yesterday, I bought a Toner Masque. 

ABOVE:  It said keep it on for 5-10 minutes.  I left it on for 13 minutes.  It didn't make any difference.  So when the girls came over, they put more on, and we left it for another 30 minutes.

I fully expected to have purple hair.

ABOVE:  Nope, no purple hair.  And it's still a bit yellow, but nowhere near as horrible as it was.

I can live with it.

Next time I want to colour my hair, at least I now know what dye to use, and what toner.

And it only cost me $70.  At the salon, my last quote was $310+.  PLUS ... cos they were not sure how much TONER they would need to use.

I can tell ya now, my hair needs HEAPS of toner.

Now I'm set for summer.

Hmmm... I wonder if my hair will go green in the pool?  I don't think I'd like green hair.

I'm off for a walk again this morning, bright and early to beat the heat.  Lake if it's cloudy, or the mall if it's sunny.

It's neat having options that work for us.

ABOVE:  Lacy is loving the lights I gave her.   It makes her place look very festive and happy.  Can you see her two guinea pigs under the table?  Cute.

12.04 pm:   I've been out all morning.

First up, I picked up Lacy and Amanda and we went for our lake walk.

There was some very light drizzle on and off, so a really lovely walk.

ABOVE:  A late brood of baby ducks.

ABOVE:  A lone kayaker on the lake today.  The Gallagher mansion in  the background.

And a plastic wrapped house, it's been wrapped for months now.  I have no idea what's under it, I presume a leaky home.

ABOVE:  I jumped on the Council men's little tractor.  They didn't mind.

After I took the girls home, I went into town to do some more shopping.  

I'm really in the mood for shopping!

ABOVE:  I couldn't resist these two ornaments for our tree.

I visited quite a few shops in town, and I think I've finally plugged all the gaps in my Christmas List.

ABOVE:  Two walks today, totalling 5.98 kms all up.

I stopped the app while I was in the mall, and inside shops, so I probably did a bit more than that too.

The city centre is looking awful.  So many empty shops in the main street.  And vagrants and beggars are so off putting.

I followed one man who obviously sleeps rough, he was yelling at everyone.  Just lots of swear words and nonsense.  Not nice.

The council is talking about doing away with the free two hour parking in town, if they do that I simply will not be going in there any more.  I can do all my shopping at The Base and Chartwell Square.

Now that I'm home, I'm a bit tired.  So will have my lunch then just chill out for a while.

There is nothing that really needs doing right now.

Even those two runners can wait.

Close to TWO HOURS spent this afternoon yakking on the phone to me sister.  So neat that we can just yabber on about nothing much!  lol

While yakking to her, I managed to untangle some Christmas lights. 

A job I usually leave for Stew, as I have absolutely NO PATIENCE for tangled up cords and so on.

I'd rather throw it in the bin and buy a new one!

But anyway, it's done now.  I'm quite proud of myself!

Stew is now home, feet up and just relaxing after a busy day at work.  

Catch ya tomorrow.

SHOPPING AGAIN TODAY

 I really enjoyed shopping yesterday with Lacy.

And as I still have a few gaps to fill on the Christmas present list... I might just head out this morning and try to find what I need.

I had NO IDEA what to get for two particular people.

Both don't NEED a damn thing... so it's difficult.

I talked to Stew last night about one of those people, and we might have solved that dilemma. 

The other person might end up getting a gift voucher.  Then that person can get something they like.  

Once I'm home from the shops, I will continue working on the two runners I started yesterday.

Just cos I hate having nothing to do, and I really do love being productive, and making things that are lovely.

Is it normal to wake up earlier and earlier as ya get older?

I've been waking up well before 6 am for quite a few months now.  It means I'm bloody knackered by mid afternoon.  

I mostly resist having a nana nap, because if I do that, I'm not tired at 'bedtime'.  My normal bedtime is around 11 - 12 at night.  Which means I'm only getting about 5 hours sleep a night.  BROKEN sleep at that, cos I wake often with getting too hot.  

Sometimes I do get back to sleep around 7 am, but always wake up again pretty quickly.

Any hints on how to break this cycle, and actually get a decent night's sleep?

And on that note, I'm outta here.  

Catch ya later.

Walking through Farmers just now and Lacy says "Look at that!"... so I turn my head to look at that. 

And I walk straight into a plinth with perfume in it. It nearly topples over. The perfume inside DOES topple over.  WHOOPS.

EXIT STAGE RIGHT. Fast. 

No damage was done. I just looked like a dick.

And then Lacy started feeling a bit unwell... too many shops, too many people.

So we left the mall and found a coffee shop outdoors... and sat down for a little while.

ABOVE:  I really love the one in the middle... she looks so .... discombobulated. 

She went home after we had morning tea... and I continued shopping.

ABOVE:  I think I still have two things left to get.  But mostly, my Christmas shopping is DONE.

Oh yeah, I bought 10 new tea towels, cos sometimes ya just have to chuck out the old for new ones.  They do get manky after a few years.  

I use the old ones as rags btw, I don't just throw them in the bin.

ABOVE:  I decided to cheer up me front door wreath too.  Gave it some colour.  Like me Christmas tree.  

ABOVE: These two twats called in this afternoon... I'd asked them to buy me a hair slide to hold the front of my hair off my face.

So they did.

Then they proceeded to eat crackers, relish and lollies for afternoon tea!

Lacy... OMG!  She was putting my Tamarind Chutney on LOLLIES!  She loved it.

She's fucking weird.

I put a blonde hair dye in my hair last night.  It went YELLOW.

So I bought some toner stuff... the girls just smeared it through my hair.  Results tomorrow.

I might have purple hair.

After the girls left, I did a bit more Christmas prep, then lay down.  Cos that hair shit gave me  a headache.  

It's the smell I think... it's very strong.

So, I lay down on the couch for an hour or so.  Then Stew arrived home.

We yakked a bit.

He put out the bins.

And now we are watching the news on the telly.

And that's me for the day.  My head is still fuzzy.

NEW WEEK, NOTHING TO DO!

 Well this could get bloody boring fast.

I don't have any sewing to do.  I'm fine for market stock.  

What to do?

Ideas anyone?

In the meantime, today I am:

- getting a huge load of linen washing on.

- walking with Lacy.

- visiting the post office to get a quote for posting the 'Boo Boo' Runner.   

I must stop calling it that, as it's still lovely.

And then.... buggered if I know.

I picked Lacy up nice and early this morning, and off we went... to the lake.

Very overcast today, so perfect for walking.

ABOVE:  We parked in a new space today, as the road is still closed in this area.

Won't be long though until it's all done and we can drive to the Yacht Club again. 

ABOVE:  Not a breath of wind this morning.  

We are expecting stormy weather later on though.

ABOVE:  We didn't have a choice, the geese were coming through!  

It was a nice walk.   Once I took Lacy home, I visited Spotlight for some plain white fabric, checked out postage costs for Leanne's runner, then came home.

I've got the washing on, pool chlorinated and pump on, next on me to do list is... nothing.

I might even keep doing that for a while.  lol

I went to Lacy's.

Her car was being picked up and taken for some repairs.  She caught her fence in the driveway (it's a tricky turn) and broke her steering column.

ABOVE:  Men, ON THEIR KNEES.  

They had to manipulate the wheel manually to get the car turning in the right direction.

ABOVE: She's finally on the tow truck, off to get fixed.  

ABOVE:  I gave Lacy some lights to give her home some festive cheer.

Then we went shopping at Chartwell Square.

ABOVE:  Christmas friends came down to 60% off, as I knew they would.  So I got Rumble, she's now by the tree.

ABOVE: Dante and Archer said my tree was too white... so I grabbed a few red ornaments to give it a bit more colour.

And that's it for Christmas decorations/trees/friends.  I'm done.

Come the 26th, they all go back in the Christmas Cupboard.

My OCD is twitching already.

I really don't like things out of place.  

But I can handle it for 3 weeks.

Now that's all done, I might just head off into the sewing room.  I plan on making a couple of 'Tree Runners'.  I've not made any of them in ages.

I can't just sit and do nothing can I?

ABOVE:  I forgot to post our stats for today's walk.  I like to put it on here for my records.

I got two runners ready for stitching this afternoon.  So some good progress made. 

Stew is now home from work, and we are just relaxing watching the news.

And as I expected, it's been a normal evening here.  Just watching the TV.  

Catch ya tomorrow.

SUNDAY SLEEP IN

 

ABOVE:  His nibs ain't outta bed yet.  And I only just got up to do a post for the start of the day.

We have a few jobs to do today.  Nothing major.

I've already got the hose in the pool, topping it up.

Once Stew's up and att'em, we will head off to the Base for a few things. His prescription.  More bowls to sit in the bowl cosy's.  We need them to hold them down in the wind if nothing else.

I put rocks in some of them yesterday, and quite a few friggin twits thought you put the rocks in the microwave with the bowl cosy!  LIKE WTF?  Twits.

So yeah, gunna get more bowls.

ABOVE:  When we get home we are going to decorate the Christmas Tree.

Gosh it looks so small there!  But, I'm not tempted to get a bigger one.  Maybe I just need to put mine on a small coffee table to raise it up a bit?

The other thing on my agenda today is to finish the 'Boo Boo' Braid Runner.  It has already been sold and will be off to it's purchaser by Monday or Tuesday.  I'm so glad it wasn't wasted... it is still a lovely looking runner.  Thank YOU Leanne for buying it. 

Time to get a move on... I'm still in me nightie and am getting cold.  Need clothes on.

11.02 am and we have been out and about.

Bought some more bowls from Briscoes, $5 each so a bargain.  Did the other bits 'n' bobs we needed to, then came home.

To do the tree.

ABOVE: First time in living memory, Stew helped me with the tree!

AND.... we are ready for Christmas.

ABOVE:  Stew and I had savory scones for our lunch today.  (cheese, bacon, onion, mint and parsley)  With a little bowl of spaghetti.

Steve, Bex and the boys visited us over lunchtime as well... but were going home for their lunch.  Bex was wanting toasted sandwiches.  I put all the Christmas lights on for the boys.  

ABOVE:  Once the kids left I finished this runner for Leanne.  It looks lovely, as long as ya don't mind the wonkiness.  😂😉😊  

I realise most people wouldn't even notice it though.

Now... I might just go back into the family room and do NOTHING for a while.

5.57 pm:  Ha ha! I didn't do NOTHING, I went through all my Christmas stuff (presents) and I've realised I don't have many gaps left to fill at all.

Which is awesome.  

Stew and I are having fish 'n' chips for dinner.  I've totally blown my diet of late.  

I hope I can haul it back in soon.

Steve is trying a new diet, to try and help his medical condition.  It's JUST PROTEIN.  Nothing else.

I might give it a go too.

Fuck the 'balance' shit.  I'm getting desperate to find something that will work again.

9.40 pm, time to say end of day.  It's a bit early for me to head off to bed, but oh well... I'm tired.

TAMAHERE TWILIGHT MARKET 4 - 8 PM

 We are doing the Tamahere Twilight Market this afternoon.

ABOVE: Last time we did it, the weather was terrible, photo of that day above.  It couldn't have been any worse really.  

The weather forecast is for RAIN this afternoon.  Grrrrr.  

Counting today's market, we have three markets to go before the Christmas holidays.

Then we will have a a four week break, until our first of three January Markets.  

After January, we will only be doing one market a month, at the regular Tamahere Market.

We will be well ready for a break by then.

And we will have a new grandbaby to dote over ... so we won't miss the markets too much.

ABOVE:  This is the runner I started last night.  It's nowhere near finished, and I doubt I'll get it done in time for today's market.

It is going to be my 50th Braid Runner!  That is insane.

I made my first ever Braid Runner on the 19th of June.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have made 50 in just under 6 months.

10.15 am:  I got straight into the sewing room this morning, and finished NUMBER 50 Braid Runner!

ABOVE:  It looks very 'busy' but it's rather lovely.

We are now just relaxing before packing up and heading off to Tamahere later on.  Probably aiming to be there by 2 pm, ready for 'the start' at 4.

The weather is looking very undecided.  Could rain. Might not. Who the hell knows?

It will be what it will be.

9 pm:  Home.  Feet up.  Contemplating something for dinner.

The market?

Was a good one.

HEAPS of people in the first two hours, then slow but steady for the rest of it.

We did fairly well, more than our 'usual' turnover.

And that 'busy' runner I finished making this morning?

FIRST ONE TO SELL!

To a returning customer, who bought a black 'n' white runner last time he was there.

I love people who return for more!

ABOVE: Our set up today.  We were incredibly lucky with the weather.  It was quite windy most of the afternoon, but no rain.  

ABOVE: Packing up at 8 pm, there were cars lined up all down the road trying to get in to load up.

We are very lucky in that the van is always near us, and we can get it up to our spot and load up easily.  AND get out again too.

Our next market is Woodlands next weekend, and that will probably be the last time we do Woodlands.

Now... time to relax and have something to eat.

Catch ya tomorrow.

FIRST BRAID RUNNER BOO BOO

 I have NO IDEA how I did it, but last night I was 70% finished constructing the latest runner top, when I realised it was wonky as fuck!

So now I'm not sure if I should finish it, and use it as a 'family gift'... while admitting it's a wonky one... or throw it in the bin.

ABOVE: It's such a shame, as it had the potential to be a really lovely runner.

What would you do with it?  Bin it?  Finish it?  Gift it?

While I, (and you), ponder that, I'm off for a mall walk this morning.

Then Marley is off to the groomers.  Coco's turn next week.

When I get home I am going to make another runner, exactly the same as the wonky one above.  This time I hope it works out STRAIGHT.

8.56 am:  I just arrived home from my morning walk.  Lacy and I 'did' the mall again.

4 lengths of the bottom, and three of the top.

ABOVE:  A faster time today, no time lost dodging people.  *Remember*, my walking app does not record distance or pace inside the mall.

ABOVE: The place was deserted, apart from people who work there, getting ready for the day.

Even the food court was completely empty, the eateries had NO FOOD in them yet.

So, it was a good walk.  

Now that I'm home, I'm going to finish the 'boo boo' runner.   edit:  Nope, I decided to leave it till next week and make another non-wonky one.

 

Marley has to be at the groomers mid morning, so I shall take a break then. 

ABOVE:  And there we have a perfectly non-wonky # 49 Braid Runner.

The wonky one is going to get finished sometime next week.  

And now... I'm taking a break.

9.41 pm:  Well it's been a good day.  I got another runner made.  I started another one as well.

I cleaned the inside of Steve's van, that we are using for a while.

I folded up two weeks worth of washing... JEZUS Stew wears a LOT of bloody socks!

I folded up 23 pairs of HIS SOCKS, and just 5 of mine.

That was a big job done.

Stew went to his work's Christmas Dinner, partners NOT invited.  Arese holes.

And now... it's the end of the day, and we shall be heading off to bed soon.

Thank god we don't have to get up early in the morning.